DEED Awards Small Cities Development Grants

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded 26 grants totaling $14.6 million for rehabilitation and infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota.

The funding under the Small Cities Development Program will help pay for rehabilitating housing and commercial buildings and updating public infrastructure in small cities and counties.

“These grants provide an important investment in Greater Minnesota communities,” said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. “This funding will provide access to better housing and improved commercial buildings.”
To be eligible for Small Cities funding, a project must meet one of three objectives: benefit people of low and moderate incomes, eliminate slum and blighted conditions, or eliminate an urgent threat to public health or safety.

Cities and townships with populations under 50,000 and counties with populations under 200,000 are eligible for grants under the program. Projects must be completed within 30 months, depending on size and scope.

The following projects received funding:

Alvarado, $487,340
Owner-occupied housing rehabilitation in Alvarado and Middle River

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website or follow DEED on Twitter.

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Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161.